Cover Story
Welcome to the Best of Orlando® 2020
Hello out there, Orlando. Has it really been a year already? It’s Best of Orlando time again, but we never could have imagined that we’d be unveiling this issue during a time like this. A lot of things have changed – oh yeah, we won’t be hosting a Best Of party this year – and…
Legal Public Notices 9/2 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS Date: August 26, 2020 Request for Proposal: RFP-025-C-2020 (P) Pursuant to Chapter 23, Title 31 of the Virgin Islands Code, the Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Services Office is requesting proposals from Qualified and Licensed Adult Step-Up, Step-Down (ASUSD) Mental Health…
As Disney works to address racism in park properties, fans speak up about the lack of diversity in company leadership
As the nation continues with unwinding the racist ideology that is found within nearly every aspect of it, like all major corporations, Disney is working to usher in a new chapter of inclusion. Those efforts include finally ridding the parks of references to the unambiguously racist Song of the South film and reportedly creating a…
Gov. DeSantis extends Florida eviction moratorium for another month late Monday night
Gov. Ron DeSantis has again extended the state’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, again waiting until the absolute last minute – mere hours before said moratorium was set to expire on Monday night – before extending it. DeSantis extended his executive order for one more month, until Oct. 1, for the fifth time yesterday. Once again, he did…
The recent NBA player protests at WDW are just the latest history-making events at the resort
The Black Lives Matter awareness actions led by NBA players and referees in “the bubble” at Walt Disney World might seem like a rare instance of reality crashing into the well-manicured fantasy world of the vacation kingdom, but the walkoff was just the latest newsworthy moment occurring at the resort. Just two years after WDW…
Video footage released of hunt for man camping at abandoned Disney theme park
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released bodycam footage of an April search for a man who was camping out at the abandoned Disney theme park Discovery Island (formerly Treasure Island). In late April, Richard McGuire seemingly decided he was going to live his best quarantine life, taking a boat to the abandoned Discovery Island on…
Federal lost wages assistance approved for Florida’s unemployed
Florida’s request to tap into federal money to provide additional unemployment benefits has been approved, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said over the weekend. The Lost Wages Assistance program is intended to provide $300 a week on top of regular state unemployment benefits for people who can show they were put out of work due…
Central Florida artist Haley McCormick’s ‘Felt’ fiber art exhibition to finally open this weekend
Originally set to open the week in March that the coronavirus pandemic shuttered, well, every single thing everywhere, Central Florida artist Haley McCormick’s exhibition Felt is finally opening this weekend in the Downtown Art District. Multimedia artist McCormick – whose previous medium of choice was film – became fascinated with the endless aesthetic possibilities of fiber when she…
Ken Lawson, embattled head of Florida’s horribly broken unemployment system, is out
Ken Lawson, pushed aside in April from heading the state’s unemployment system after it was overwhelmed by coronavirus-caused job losses, announced his resignation Monday as executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Lawson, who also ran agencies during former Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, advised Gov. Ron DeSantis that he was stepping down from…
Orlando event spaces to be lit red on Tuesday to highlight their economic plight
Nearly 1,500 building across the country – including many here in Orlando – will “go red” with red lighting on Tuesday night, Sept. 1, from 9 p.m. to midnight. The dramatic lighting scheme is meant to highlight the current economic plight of live event spaces and the people who work in them. The action, spearheaded by We Make…
SeaWorld to bring back Spooktacular and Christmas Celebration events, though with limited capacity
Orlando theme park SeaWorld on Monday unveiled revamped versions of seasonal favorites set for this fall. SeaWorld is bringing back the annual Spooktacular and Christmas Celebration, and both special events will be included in the price of park admission, though with limited capacity and safety measures in place. SeaWorld kicks off the SeaWorld Spooktacular on…
Busch Gardens will bring back Bier Fest in September with new safety measures
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced on Monday morning that its annual Bier Fest will return, but with significantly fewer people in the crowd. Beginning every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 12-Nov. 15, guests can explore 16 Bier Fest cabins spread out across Busch Gardens’ open-air festival, which will include limited-capacity, modified food and beverage serving…
Publix is removing one-way aisles from locations as local ordinances change
Lakeland-based grocery giant Publix announced that it has removed one-way aisle signage from some of the chain’s locations because local ordinances no longer require it. As of now, only Publix stores not under local ordinance will be affected, says the company, who reiterated that many safety measures will still be in place (like masks and…
Orlando-based SeaWorld, the latest park chain to see the benefits of year-round operations, removes off-season for San Antonio park
In recent years it looked like SeaWorld would finally turn the corner on its long, trouble-filled path to recovery, but then the pandemic hit and, like every other theme park, the company was forced to shut down for months. Now, as the Orlando-based theme park chain looks to recoup some of its lost revenue, they’re…
Florida teachers union and DeSantis administration legal slugfest over Florida schools reopening continues
In a partial win for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, a Tallahassee-based appeals court on Friday put on hold a Leon County circuit judge’s ruling that said a state mandate for schools to reopen this month amid the coronavirus is unconstitutional. DeSantis and Corcoran have been locked in a legal slugfest with…
Coronavirus in Florida by the numbers: Sunday, Aug. 30
State health-care agencies on Sunday released numbers about the coronavirus in Florida. Here are some takeaways: — 621,586: Total number of cases. — 2,583: Increase in cases from a Saturday count. — 21,015: Increase in cases during the past week (from an Aug. 23 count). — 11,119: Deaths of Florida residents. — 14: Increase in…
Almost half of COVID-19 workers’ comp claims filed by ‘essential workers’ have been denied by insurers
Thousands of Florida workers, including people on the front lines battling the coronavirus pandemic, say they have gotten infected with COVID-19. But state numbers show that insurers have refused to pay nearly half of the workers’ compensation insurance claims filed by first responders, health care professionals and other workers. Data collected by Chief Financial Officer…
Friday evening, Aug. 28: Coronavirus by the numbers in Florida
State agencies updated a variety of numbers Friday related to the coronavirus in Florida. Here are some takeaways: — 615,806: Total number of cases. — 3,815: Increase in cases from a Thursday count. — 10,957: Deaths of Florida residents. —- 89: Increase in deaths from a Thursday count. — 3,573,943: Unemployment claims processed from March…
Orlando fun-seekers can check out new apps that function like Airbnb for boats and campers
Boat rental app GetMyBoat is aiming to be the “Airbnb of boats” – Waterbnb? – over the upcoming Labor Day weekend. With available watercraft in Orlando and all over Florida, virtual boat rental is an idea whose time has seemingly come in an age of contactless transactions and people wanting to get out of the house but also as…
Watch the premiere of Orlando rapper Sean Mingo’s music video for ‘Flyby’
Orlando rapper Sean Mingo released his debut solo album T.K.T.B. back in June, an adventurous collection of genre-splicing hip-hop that evidenced a young talent on the move. Today, Mingo drops his first music video from T.K.T.B. for the track “Flyby” and we invite you to watch it here at Orlando Weekly first. “Flyby” is a…
Famed headbanging ‘Florida Man’ in Louisiana for Hurricane Laura
Lane Pittman, a Jacksonville resident who seems to only appear during major hurricanes so he can headbang to Slayer’s “Raining Blood” while shirtless, has risen from the swampy depths to slay Hurricane Laura. Pittman apparently traveled to Louisiana to headbang, as he does, and posted a video to Twitter. “Louisiana, FLORIDA MAN IS HERE FOR…
EDC Orlando officially canceled until 2021
Annual autumnal EDM extravaganza Electric Daisy Carnival has been canceled this year, with organizers hoping to make a return in 2021. EDC creator Pasquale Rotella broke the news on an Instagram post Thursday night, though the announcement has not been cross-posted yet to either the EDC website or Facebook page. View this post on Instagram State of…
In big bid for survival, Will’s Pub will become an eatery with the help of Swine & Sons
With Florida bars effectively closed for the foreseeable and depressing future, some Orlando watering holes have been desperately, valiantly hustling to try and remain in the present tense. One of the more scrappy bars in the city has been music scene pillar and Mills 50 cornerstone Will’s Pub, which has made an all-in pivot to…
Indie Bookstore Day returns this weekend both in Orlando and online
Sure, there’s Record Store Day, but where does that leave bibliophiles? There’s a holiday/spending opportunity for you too, don’t worry. Indie Bookstore Day is returning this weekend, both in-store and online. After being pushed back from its original April date, the rescheduled Indie Bookstore Day – spotlighting small independent bookstores – is set for this Saturday, Aug. 29. Participating…
Weed edibles finally get the green light from the Florida Department of Health
Animal crackers and gummy bears are off the table, but Florida medical marijuana operators finally will be allowed to manufacture and sell THC-infused cookies, cakes and candies, after state health officials released a rule outlining edible marijuana products. The emergency rule, posted on the state Department of Health website Wednesday and distributed to industry insiders…
Orlando boy-band alumnus AJ McLean named as contestant on new season of ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Once the resident “bad boy” of Orlando boy-band stars Backstreet Boys, AJ McLean was announced Thursday as the second participant in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars. (Which is, yes, still on the air.) The only other contestant named at this point is Season 11 Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. McLean was confirmed during Thursday’s episode…
Orange County Has ‘Got You Covered’ during COVID-19 Pandemic
By Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings Wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic is not a political statement or a personal opinion. It is a moral and civic obligation to yourself, your family, your neighbors and your community, so that we can slow the spread of the virus and ultimately, contain it. Since there…
Orlando Taco Week and Orlando Burger Week are back this fall
Orlando Taco Week (Sept. 23-Oct. 7, 2020) and Orlando Burger Week (Nov. 4-18, 2020), whose fate had previously been uncertain in light of the pandemic, have both officially been rescheduled in the wake of a successful Bite30 and thanks to the support of corporate partners dedicated to helping local restaurants during these tough times. Both…
DeSantis thinks Orlando’s theme parks should allow more people in, because why not
Gov. Ron DeSantis backed allowing more customers at major theme parks in Orlando as he and park officials gave high marks Wednesday to coronavirus safety measures. The expansion push came as a Deutsche Bank analysis showed Walt Disney World attendance down more than 80 percent from previous years and after Universal Orlando shut down operations…
Savage Love: Tall order
I’m a cis man in my late 20s. I’ve recently become consumed by a specific fantasy I fear is unattainable, a fear that has been made worse by several failed attempts to research it. A little background: Except for a couple of dates and make-out sessions with other men, my sex life has always been…
Best Unwitting Predictor of the Year We’d Have
An enormous poo in Lake Eola Park
Best Picket Line
Unite Here Local 362
Best Noise Cancellation
Orlando Protesters Drowning out Ron DeSantis
Best Neighborhood to Drink In
Historic Downtown Sanford
Most Embarrassing State to Live In
Florida during coronavirus
Best Neighborhood to Eat In
Winter Park
Best Pilgrimage
Visiting Queen Weltin’s annual superbloom
Best Neighborhood to Live In
Winter Park
Best Blue Checkmark
Woke Stan Van Gundy
Best Neighborhood to Shop In
Winter Park
Best New Thing in Orlando
Hourglass Brewing
Best Orlando Weekly Event
Best of Orlando Party
Best Reason to Live in Orlando
Theme parks
Best Use of Public Money
Bike lanes and walking paths
Best First Step
BLM mural painted on Rosalind Avenue
Best ‘Good Trouble’
Black Lives Matter Protests in Orlando
Best Sports Bar
Miller’s Ale House
Best Music With Meaning
Re:Charge
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
Best Teahouse
Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria
Best Buzzworthy Bite
Birria Machete at Hunger Street Tacos
Best Bakery
Gideon’s Bakehouse
Best Italian Restaurant
Prato
Best New Theme Park Attraction
Social Distancing Skunk Ape
Best Local Barbershop
Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
Best Porchraits
Matt Keller Lehman’s ‘Social Distancing at 85mm’ series
Best Local Charitable Group
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Sports & Recreation: Best of Orlando 2020
Sports & Recreation
Best Theme Park Ride
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Best Local Livestream
TIE! StayHome Fest and Accidental Music Festival
Best Dance Club
Independent Bar
Best Jazz Act
Leisure Chief
Best Nachos
Gringos Locos
Best Sandwiches/Subs
Publix
Best Dance Company
1st: Orlando Ballet orlandoballet.org 2nd: Phantasmagoria phantasmagoriaorlando.com 3rd: Central Florida Irish Dance centralfloridairishdance.com
Best Barbecue Restaurant
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Curbside Service
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Silver Lining to Social Distancing
Historically Short Theme Park Wait Times
Best Local CBD Products
The Hemp Depot
Best Non-Essential And Yet Essential Curbside
Park Ave CDs
Best Local Palate Expander
Bandcamp No-Fee Fridays
Best Local TV Newsperson
Eric Burris, WESH 2
Best Water Park
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Best Gay Bar
Southern Nights Orlando
Best Theme Park Bar
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill
Best Local Plantasia
Circuit Church at Mead Botanical Garden
Best Thai Restaurant
SEA Thai
Best Old New Dessert
Baked Alaska at the Osprey
Best Bloody Mary
The Hammered Lamb
Best Juice/Smoothies
SOHO Juice Co.
Best Escape Room You Won’t Want to Escape
The Bureau
Best Pet Groomer
Woof Gang Bakery Winter Park
Local Color: Best of Orlando 2020
Local Color
Best History Lessons
‘Wait Five Minutes: The Floridian Podcast’
Best Attraction That’s Not a Theme Park
Gatorland
Best Yoga Studio
Orlando Power Yoga
Music & Nightlife: Best of Orlando 2020
Music & Nightlife
Best Dive Bar
Will’s Pub
Best Metal Act
The Sinema
Best Local Quarantine Song
“Payment Status Unavailable” by Future Bartenderz
Best Seafood Restaurant
Winter Park Fish Co.
Best Film Fest or Series
1st: Florida Film Festival
Best Breakfast
Se7en Bites
Best Desserts
Gideon’s Bakehouse
Best Zoo Comes to You
Wild Florida Safari Park drive-through
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Best Local Visual Artist
Synthestruct
Best Recurring Arts Nights
Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine & Art Walk
Best Beach
New Smyrna Beach
Best Zipline or Ropes Course
Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, Gatorland
Best Bar
Will’s Pub
Best Bar to Play Videogames
Throwbacks Sanford
Best Punk Act
Call In Dead
Best Outdoor Dining
Yellow Dog Eats
Best Theme Park Restaurant
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
Best Oral Conflagration
Nashville Hot Chicken at Chicken Fire
Best Brunch
Santiago’s Bodega
Best Korean Restaurant
Izziban
Goods & Services: Best of Orlando 2020
Goods & Services
Best Realtor
Beth Hobart
Best COVID-Related Art Show
Redefine Gallery, ‘Stay Home Make Art’
Best Local Leader During the Pandemic
State Rep. Anna Eskamani
Best Theater Space
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Best Must-Have Sports Gear
Joel Embiid arriving at MCO in a hazmat suit
Best Bar Patio
Eden Bar
Best Drag Night
Hamburger Mary’s
Best Reggae Act
Florida Man
Best Pho
Pho 88
Best Splurge Restaurant
Victoria & Albert’s
Best Gallery
CityArts
Best Burger
Teak Neighborhood Grill
Best Diner
Christo’s Café
Best Antique Store
Adjectives Market
Best Record Store
Park Ave CDs
Best Way to Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Orlando Merch Store
Best Performing Arts Pivot
Orlando Fringe’s virtual ‘Fringe Today’
Best Bowling Alley
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Best Happy Hour
Santiago’s Bodega
Best Wine Bar
The Wine Room on Park Avenue
Best Rock Act
The DEV
Best Pizza
Lazy Moon
Best Thing to Eat at a Theme Park
1st: Dole Whip 2nd: Turkey Leg 3rd: Mickey Ice Cream Bar Related Stories
Best Vegan Soup
Bun Bo Hue at Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen
Best Caribbean Restaurant
DaJen Eats
Best Late-Night Restaurant (serving after 11 p.m.)
Gringos Locos
Best Apartment Building or Complex
Maitland City Centre
Best Roofer
Carroll Bradford Roofing
Best Kept Secret
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
Best Theater Company
Orlando Shakes
Best Canoeing/Kayaking
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Best Bartender
Robbie Kennerney, Throwbacks Sanford
Best Country Act
The Bloody Jug Band
Best Singer-Songwriter
Kaleigh Baker
Best Place to Buy Meat
Petty’s Meats
Best Steakhouse
Linda’s La Cantina
Best Literary Reading Series
Orlando Story Club&
Best Cheap Eats
Beefy King
Best Doughnut
Donut King
Best Bicycle Shop
Orange Cycle
Best Smoke Shop
Climax Smoke Shop
Best Bottled Cocktails
Sunroom
Best Local Podcast
‘A Mediocre Time With Tom & Dan’
Best City Park
Lake Eola Park
Best Live Music Club
Will’s Pub
Best Cover Band
Hayfire
Best Soul Act
Eugene Snowden
Best Place to Buy Produce
Freshfields Farm
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant
Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Best Supermarket Eats
Taglish
Best Cheesesteak
LaSpada’s Original Cheesesteaks & Hoagies
Best Local Album Recorded During Quarantine
TIE! The Pauses’ ‘Quarantunes’ and Soulbase’s ‘Songs to Quarantine To’
Best Cannabis Dispensary
Trulieve
Best Spa Services
VitaLounge
Best Movie Theater
Enzian Theater
Best Artful Adaptation to the Pandemic
Brian Feldman’s ‘#txtshow’ goes global
Best Group Fitness
Camp Gladiator
Best Club DJ
Angel of Boom
Meet Lego Explore Orlando, the dynamic duo of artists who make finding fun in your city look like a snap
Like most kids, Charles Lindlau and Robert Privitera grew up with Legos as the toy of choice. Unlike most kids, however, the duo spun that childhood hobby into the popular local Instagram account Lego Explore Orlando. For just over a year, the two have been breaking the Orlando internets with engaging and endearing portraits of…
Best Local Chef
Wendy Lopez
Best Place to Eat Gluten-free
Dandelion Community Café
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
Little Saigon
Best Locally Made Coffee Indulgence
Iced Coffee, Los Autenticos Cuban Café
Best Chinese Restaurant
Hawkers
Best Latin Restaurant
Black Bean Deli
Best Comic Book Shop
Gods & Monsters
Best Tattoo Studio
Built 4 Speed Tattoo
Best Local Activist Group
The Center
Best Local Politician
State Rep. Anna Eskamani
Best Gym
House of Sweat Orlando
Best Local Music Festival or Music Series
WJRR’s Earthday Birthday
Best Fried Chicken
Publix
Best Poke
Da Kine Poke
Best Wings
Domu
Best Local Actor
Carlos Navarro
Best Local Band That Could Make Tony Allen Proud
Bengali 600
Best Underground Family Reunion
Pre-INC Orlando
Best Doggy Daycare
Miss Emily’s Bed and Biscuit
Best Veterinarian/Veterinary Clinic
Winter Park Veterinary Hospital
Best Book by a Local
‘Lake Life,’ by David James Poissant
Best New Visions
Kieran Castaño’s ‘A Certain Kind of Light’
Best Local Pro Athlete
Alex Morgan, Orlando Pride
Best Club Night
’80s New Wave Night at Independent Bar
Best Electronic Act
MissFit Toys
Best Locally Made Hot Sauce
Tijuana Flats
Best Pub Grub/Bar Food
Miller’s Ale House
Best Arts Event or Art Festival
1st: Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Best Summer Sweet
Maracujá Cake at Brazil Food Mart
Best Local George Martin
Chris Baranyi
Best Food Truck
Chicken Fire
Best Farmers Market
Winter Park Farmers Market
Best Vintage or Used Clothing Store
Plato’s Closet
Best Truly Safe Cinema
Drive-in movies
Best Local Publication
Orlando Weekly
Best Local Sports Team
UCF Knights Football
Best Open Mic
Throwbacks Sanford
Best Experimental Act
Modal Plane
Best Greek Restaurant
Little Greek Fresh Grill
Best Sushi
Seito Sushi & New Japanese
Best Reason to Live in Your Pandemic Sweatpants All Summer
Sunday Sauce at Stasio’s Italian Deli
Best Local Author
James Holmes
Best Coffee Bar
Foxtail Coffee Co.
Best Local Brewery
Crooked Can Brewing Company
Best Furniture Store
Washburn Imports
Best Wine Shop
Total Wine & More
Best Local Big Shot Who’s Not an Elected Official
Savannah Boan
Best Overdue Conversation
Black Artists for Black Lives and Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy Forum
Best Place to Bike
West Orange Trail
Best Cocktail Bar
Lil Indie’s
Best Folk Act
Thomas Wynn & the Believers
Best Lunch
Beefy King
Best Ramen
Domu
Best Burlesque Troupe
1st: Corsets & Cuties, a Burlesque Cabaret
Best Local Comedian
Rauce Padgett
Best Indian Restaurant
Tamarind Indian Cuisine
Best French Restaurant
Le Coq Au Vin
Best Hair Salon
Alchemy
Best Underground Couture
Uncle Lou’s T-shirt
Best Socially Conscious Swag
BLM earrings by Jessica Becker
Best Local Radio Show
‘Monsters in the Morning’ Real Radio 104.1-FM
Best Place to Take Your Dog to Play
Lake Baldwin Dog Park
Best Pub
Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub
Best Hip-Hop Act
E-Turn
Best Ice Cream
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
Best Tacos
Gringos Locos
Best Short-Lived Loophole
“Chomping While Clomping” at Theme Parks After their reopenings, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando put mask requirements in place for their guests. Of course, eating is a big part of the theme-park experience, so they made an exception – guests could remove masks to enjoy some scrummy Dole whip or a Lard Lad…
Arts & Culture: Best of Orlando 2020
Arts & Culture
Best Cuban Sandwich
Black Bean Deli
Best Bookstore
Park Ave CDs
Best Stimulus Shopping
USPS Postal Store catalog
Best Museum
Orlando Science Center
Best Emergency Arts Patronage
Feed the Need Florida
Best Springs
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Best Craft Beer Bar
Crooked Can Brewing Company
Best Final Live Music Fix
TIE: Billie Eilish at Amway Center, and C0mputer at Will’s Pub
Best Mexican Restaurant
Agave Azul Cocina Mexicana
Best Restaurant for a Date
Better Than Sex — A Dessert Restaurant
Best Comedy Club or Night
SAK Comedy Lab
Food & Drink: Best of Orlando 2020
Food & Drink
Best Archival Releases
Sam Rivers Rarities on NoBusiness
Best Liquor Store
Total Wine & More
Best Plant Dad
Cecil at Planted Perfectly
Best Book by One of Our Former Interns
‘In the Land of Good Living,’ by Kent Russell
Best Local Radio Station
WTKS Real Radio 104.1-FM
Best Theme Park
Epcot
Best Reawakening to the Joys of the Outdoors
Every Public Park in Orlando
Best Local Pride
Orlando City SC at the MLS Is Back tournament
